Peters



(No Model.)

' -J. R. HEBERT.

TENSION DEVICE FOR SEWING MACHINES; No. 268,228.

Patented Nov. 28, 1882.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH 1t. HEBERT, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO ELIAS A.

WILKINSON, OF NEYVARK, NEW JERSEY.

TENSION DEVICE FOR SEWING-MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 268,228, dated November 28, 1882.

Application filed May 6, 1882. (X model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J OSEPH 1t. Hnnnn'r, of Brooklyn, New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tension De- 5 vices for Sewing-Machines, described in this specification and the drawings thereof.

The invention consists in improvements relating to the tension-plate and its seat, whereby the tension on the thread may be readily released and the twistingof the thread be prevented.

Figures 1 and 3 are front views, showing my improvements. Fig. 2 is a top view of the same. Figs. at and 5 are detail views thereof.

[5 In many tension devices, as now constructed and employed, itis necessary to slacken the thread by hand before removing the goods being sewed by grasping and drawing the thread between the tension device and the thread:

eye in the upper end of the needle-bar. My

improvements obviate this necessity by'releasing the thread from the tension device.

In the form of construction shown, a tension-plate, M, rests at one end on a hinged 2 plate or thread-releaser, N, having a handle or projection, O, and hinged or pivoted by ears r r to the arm P of the stand Q, which is fastened to the arm R of a sewing-machine. The tension-plate M is bent downward at the other 0 end, which is rounded, as at S, forming a rocker, and rests in a groove, T, in the arm U of the support. The tension-plate is held in position by a set-screw or tension-regulator, V, screwed into a stud, \V, on thesupport, and

has a thread-slot, X, to receive the thread from a spool, Y, on a spindle on the arm of the machine. The tension is regulated by the pressure of the set-screw, and the tension-plate is selfladj usting laterally by means of the rounded 40 end and the groove in the arm of the stand.

1 The tension is rel'eased from the thread, which passes between the tension-plate and the hinged plate or thread-releaser plate by pressing upon the handle 0, which removes the pressure from 5 the thread. The hinged plate or thread-releaser should be made to project beyond the slot X, as shown at b.

The object of having the tensioirplate rock in the greove in the arm of the stand is for the purpose of self-adjustment in using different numbers of thread, as very fine or very coarse, and thereby prevent the twisting of the thread in changing the use ofthe same without changing the tension. The tension-plate andthe hinged plate or thread-releaser-rock in oppositedirections-onetoaccommodatethethread, the other to relieve the tension.

The details of construction and operation may be varied from that described and shown within the scope of my improvements. 6o

1 make no claim herein to a thread-releases having a projection by which to operate it, in combination with a tension-plate, supported thereon continuously at one end, as I claim the same in another case.

I claim as my invention- 1. Thecombination,adapted to sewing mechanism, of tension-plate M, having thread-slot X and rocker S, releasing-plate N, having projection O, regulating-screw V, and support Q, having groove T, substantially as set forth.

2. Thecombination,adapted to sewing mechanism, of a tension-plate having a thread-opening and a transverse rocking device, a releasing-plate having a projection by which to operate it, a tension-regulator, and a support adapted thereto, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, adapted to sewingmechanism, of a tension-plate, a thread-releaser, and a support, the tension-plate and threadreleaser having rocking movements in different directions, substantially as set forth.

4. Thecombinatiomadapted to sewing mechanism, of a transverse rocking tension-plate, a tilting thread-releaser, and a tension-regulator, substantially as set forth.

I testimony whereof I hereunto subscribe my signature and affix my seal, in the presence of two attesting witnesses, on the 23d day of January, 1882.

JOSEPH It. HEBERT.

\Vitnesses:

E. B. G ADWIGK, M. PARPART. 

